Clip for releasably locking rails to supports

Abstract

A track member having a bottom end portion resting on an upper surface of a support flange has a clip member slidably attached thereto for movement between a locking position and a releasing position for respectively preventing or permitting upward movement of the rail end portion with respect to the support flange. In the locking position of the clip member, a projecting tongue engages the bottom surface of the support flange opposite from the upper surface area on which the track member bottom end portion is supported. In the releasing position of the clip member, the tongue is clear of the support flange.

I claim: 
     
       1. A shelf for an order picking rack comprising: a generally rectangular frame including opposite side frame members and front and rear rails, said rails having flanges extending toward one another inwardly of said frame, an elongated track member having opposite bottom end portions supported on said flanges, a clip member slidably mounted on said track member adjacent at least one end thereof for sliding movement between locking and releasing positions, said clip member having a tongue projecting therefrom, said clip member in said locking position having said tongue located on the opposite side of one said flange from one said bottom end portion for preventing upward displacement of said one end portion, and said clip member in said releasing position thereof having said tongue located in spaced relationship to said flange along said track member for allowing free upward movement of said one end portion from said one flange. 
     
     
       2. The shelf of claim 1 wherein said flange has a predetermined thickness, said track member having a track bottom surface and said tongue having an upper surface spaced from said track bottom surface a distance less than said predetermined thickness of said flange. 
     
     
       3. The shelf of claim 2 wherein said tongue has a beveled front end portion which slopes upward to intersection with said tongue upper surface from a tongue front edge which is spaced from said track bottom surface a distance substantially greater than said predetermined thickness of said flange. 
     
     
       4. The shelf of claim 1 wherein said track member is of inverted generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration including a top web and opposite legs depending therefrom, said legs having inwardly turned runners extending toward one another, said clip member having mounting means for slidably mounting same on said runners. 
     
     
       5. The shelf of claim 4 wherein said mounting means includes outwardly facing opposite grooves receiving said runners. 
     
     
       6. The shelf of claim 5 including lips on said clip member resiliently gripping the outer surfaces of said legs. 
     
     
       7. The shelf of claim 6 including opposite tabs extending outwardly from said clip beyond said legs of said track member for engagement by a person's fingers to slide said clip along said runners. 
     
     
       8. The shelf of claim 1 wherein said track member is of inverted generally u-shaped cross sectional configuration including a top web and opposite legs depending therefrom, said legs having inwardly turned runners extending toward one another, said clip member having mounting means for slidably mounting same on said runners, and opposite tabs extending outwardly from said clip beyond said legs of said track member for engagement by a persons fingers to slide said clip along said runners. 
     
     
       9. A one-piece plastic clip member for releasably locking an end of a track member on a support flange comprising: a generally flat clip body having outwardly opening opposite longitudinal grooves therein, said grooves having groove upper and lower side surfaces, a generally flat tongue projecting outwardly from one end of said body in a direction generally parallel to said grooves, said tongue having a tongue upper surface spaced below said groove lower side surfaces. 
     
     
       10. The clip of claim 9 wherein said tongue has a tongue terminal end and an upwardly sloping surface which slopes upwardly from said tongue terminal end in a direction back toward said clip body to intersection with said tongue upper surface. 
     
     
       11. The clip of claim 9 including opposite lips on said body outwardly of said grooves extending upwardly and toward one another. 
     
     
       12. The clip of claim 9 including opposite tabs extending outwardly from said body in a direction generally perpendicular to said tongue. 
     
     
       13. The clip of claim 9 including opposite lips on said body outwardly of said grooves extending upwardly and toward one another, and opposite tabs extending outwardly from said body in a direction generally perpendicular to said tongue. 
     
     
       14. The clip of claim 9 wherein said tongue has a tongue terminal end and an upwardly sloping surface which slopes upwardly from said tongue terminal and in a direction back toward said clip body to intersection with said tongue upper surface and including opposite lips on said body outwardly of said grooves extending upwardly and toward one another, and opposite tabs extending outwardly from said body in a direction generally perpendicular to said tongue. 
     
     
       15. A shelf for a gravity flow rack or the like comprising: a generally rectangular frame including opposite side frame members and front and rear rails, said rails having bottom support flanges and upper flanges with notches therealong, a track member support on said support flanges and having end edges received in certain of said notches for preventing lateral displacement of said track member, and means on at least one end of said track member cooperating with at least one of said bottom support flanges for releasably locking said one end to said bottom support flange against vertical displacement therefrom. 
     
     
       16. The shelf of claim 15 wherein said cooperating means is a slidable clip, slidably mounted on said track member and engaging said bottom support flange when in the locked position.